Either injuries, poor play by one or both, or a coach’s decision to play a favourite continuously, leaves little room for drama. And the anticipated by-product of a crease clash, more wins and a playoff spot, did not materialize for the Leafs for seven years before James Reimer had a little nudge from Ben Scrivens in 2013.

But this autumn, coach Randy Carlyle knows there will be a headline-grabbing battle between Reimer and newcomer Jonathan Bernier. The two 25-year-olds have already served notice they’re not going to be good sports about sitting.

“I don’t know how much we can stress how important goaltending is,” Carlyle said Sunday at the draft, his first public comments since the trade for Bernier. “If you don’t have it, you don’t have a starting point. You look at these two young players, Reimer and Bernier, and we’ve given them an opportunity to compete at that position.

“We shouldn’t look at it as slighting anybody. You make decisions and you make moves to add depth at a position that is very, very important.”

The J.B.-J.R. showdown has the potential to be a major camp distraction, especially when the exhibition games start. But the Leafs decided they needed an expensive insurance policy for the sometimes skittish Reimer. Thinking he had proven himself in the playoff run, Reimer did not respond well to the Leafs getting him a young rival as opposed to a veteran backup.

Carlyle was reminded he’s handled a couple of similar internal competitions such as Jean-Sebastien Giguere and Jonas Hiller in Anaheim. There is an easy solution that starts with a capital ‘W’.

“The one thing you always try to do is create (a situation where) you win and you’re in,” the coach said. “Winning is what we’re here to do. This isn’t a developmental league, it’s a league that’s very stressful and it’s important on both ends of that spectrum to have success.”

The new kid in town is no stranger to Carlyle, whose Ducks crossed paths with Bernier and the Los Angeles Kings in the Pacific Division.

“I can remember him starting the season for the Kings in London, England in 2007 against Anaheim (winning 4-1). As an 18-year-old, he made an impression. But a lot of water has travelled under the bridge since. Obviously, with the emergence of Jonathan Quick, he had to take a step back. But he’s fought himself back to where he is going to challenge for playing time.”

Coach Carlyle says it's 'win and you're in'

Either injuries, poor play by one or both, or a coach’s decision to play a favourite continuously, leaves little room for drama. And the anticipated by-product of a crease clash, more wins and a playoff spot, did not materialize for the Leafs for seven years before James Reimer had a little nudge from Ben Scrivens in 2013.

But this autumn, coach Randy Carlyle knows there will be a headline-grabbing battle between Reimer and newcomer Jonathan Bernier. The two 25-year-olds have already served notice they’re not going to be good sports about sitting.

“I don’t know how much we can stress how important goaltending is,” Carlyle said Sunday at the draft, his first public comments since the trade for Bernier. “If you don’t have it, you don’t have a starting point. You look at these two young players, Reimer and Bernier, and we’ve given them an opportunity to compete at that position.